IP SAR - Brochure 05

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The Secure Accommodation Review Panel The Secure Accommodation Review (<strong>SAR</strong>) has a clear remit to assess the criteria for a young person remaining in Secure Accommodation. The Panel must establish whether the criteria are met or not and in doing so review the evidence presented in the original application to Court. The Panel will have information from the Unit, both written and verbal, on the behaviour of the young person, and the outline of the Care Plan. The Panel’s objective is to review the actions of the agency (the local authority) and not to make plans for the child. A successful Panel will aim to: • Ensure no child remains in secure longer than necessary, by asking appropriate questions of professional staff in the interests of guaranteeing a fair hearing for the child/young person. • Enable the young person to have the opportunity to say what s/he wants to, to listen to her/him and to take her/him seriously. • Allow everyone a chance to put their views and have them taken into account. • Consider whether the criteria continues to apply, whether the placement continues to be necessary and whether any other description of accommodation is appropriate and in doing so shall have regard to the welfare of the child • Ensure that issues of progress in the Unit, specific concerns and comments or complaints are passed to senior management, operational staff, or, if appropriate, the Looked After Review process. RRC provides a one stop solution for Local Authorities to enable them to fulfil their obligations through the provision of fully trained and qualified Independent Persons to be involved in the review of children held in Secure Accommodation. 4
Independent Persons from RRC will • Ensure that the Local Authority has acted properly in placing the young person in Secure Accommodation. • Alongside other members of the Panel, consider whether the criteria continues to apply, whether the placement continues to be necessary and whether any other description of accommodation is appropriate and in doing so shall have regard to the welfare of the child. • Read all background information prior to the Panel. • Meet the young person prior to the Panel in order to: -- Introduce her/himself and emphasise her/his independence from the Local Authority. -- explain that s/he is not an advocate for the young person, but will ensure that the young person’s rights are upheld during the Review process -- Encourage the young person to raise any concerns about her/his placement or the wider care plan which can be discussed with the Chair of the Panel. • Will be alert to any views or concerns expressed by the young person and ensure these are fed into the Review process. • Will if required an appropriate comment on the care plan for the young person at the Review. • Express honestly her/his views on whether the criteria are considered to be met and maintain an independent stance. RRC’s Independent People are comprehensively supported with training, guidance and advice to enable them to undertake their professional roles. All RRC Independent Persons have a strong background in children’s social work especially looked after children, vulnerable children in need of protection and children’s residential care including secure children’s homes 5
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IP SAR - Brochure 05

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